King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 44:9 Mean?

Jeremiah 44:9 in the King James Version says “Have ye forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, and the wickedness of the kings of Judah, and the wickedness of their ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 44 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Have ye forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, and the wickedness of the kings of Judah, and the wickedness of their wives, and your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives, which they have committed in the land of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem? wickedness: Heb. wickednesses, or, punishments, etc”

Jeremiah 44:9 · KJV

Context

7

Therefore now thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; Wherefore commit ye this great evil against your souls, to cut off from you man and woman, child and suckling, out of Judah, to leave you none to remain; out: Heb. out of the midst of Judah

8

In that ye provoke me unto wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in the land of Egypt, whither ye be gone to dwell, that ye might cut yourselves off, and that ye might be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?

9

Have ye forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, and the wickedness of the kings of Judah, and the wickedness of their wives, and your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives, which they have committed in the land of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem? wickedness: Heb. wickednesses, or, punishments, etc

10

They are not humbled even unto this day, neither have they feared, nor walked in my law, nor in my statutes, that I set before you and before your fathers. humbled: Heb. contrite

11

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will set my face against you for evil, and to cut off all Judah.

Read Jeremiah 44 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Have ye forgotten the wickedness of your fathers—the interrogative hăšəkaḥtem (have you forgotten?) uses the verb šākaḥ, implying willful neglect, not mere lapse of memory. This introduces a genealogy of guilt covering five categories: fathers, kings of Judah, their wives, your own wickedness, wickedness of your wives. The comprehensive catalog spans generations (fathers), leadership (kings), domestic life (wives), and personal responsibility (your own). The inclusion of wives is significant—women apparently led in 'Queen of Heaven' worship (44:15-19, 25).

Which they have committed in the land of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem recalls the specific geography of their former rebellion. The Hebrew ʿāśû (they have done/committed) is a perfect tense showing completed historical action with ongoing results. This creates a tragic continuity: what destroyed Judah in Judah is now being repeated in Egypt. Forgetting here isn't cognitive failure but moral refusal to learn from judgment. The question form adds rhetorical force—their behavior proves they've 'forgotten' (ignored) the very lessons God taught through Jerusalem's destruction.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Judah's kings from Manasseh (687-642 BC) through Zedekiah (597-586 BC) largely promoted or tolerated idolatry. Manasseh's reign particularly featured syncretistic worship, child sacrifice, and astral cults (2 Kings 21:1-18). Josiah's reforms (622 BC) proved temporary; his successors reverted to idolatry. The mention of wives reflects women's significant role in domestic religious practices and the 'Queen of Heaven' cult (Jeremiah 7:18, 44:15-25).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does generational sin create patterns that persist despite clear warnings?
  2. What role does 'forgetting' (willful neglect of God's past judgments) play in continued disobedience?
  3. Why does God hold both leaders and ordinary citizens, men and women, accountable for corporate sin?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
הַֽשְׁכַחְתֶּם֩1 of 22

“Have ye forgotten”

H7911

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

אֶת2 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רָעֹ֣ת3 of 22

“and the wickedness”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

אֲבוֹתֵיכֶ֜ם4 of 22

“of your fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְאֶת5 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רָעֹ֣ת6 of 22

“and the wickedness”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

מַלְכֵ֣י7 of 22

“of the kings”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֔ה8 of 22

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וְאֵת֙9 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רָעֹ֣ת10 of 22

“and the wickedness”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

נְשֵׁיכֶ֑ם11 of 22

“of their wives”

H802

a woman

וְאֵת֙12 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רָעֹ֣ת13 of 22

“and the wickedness”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וְאֵ֖ת14 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רָעֹ֣ת15 of 22

“and the wickedness”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

נְשֵׁיכֶ֑ם16 of 22

“of their wives”

H802

a woman

אֲשֶׁ֤ר17 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשׂוּ֙18 of 22

“which they have committed”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ19 of 22

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יְהוּדָ֔ה20 of 22

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וּבְחֻצ֖וֹת21 of 22

“and in the streets”

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃22 of 22

“of Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 44:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 44:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 7:17-18Ezra 9:7-15Daniel 9:5-8Joshua 22:17-20Jeremiah 44:15-19Jeremiah 44:21

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Jeremiah 44 →

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